Peer Support Specialist

Peer Support SpecialistJob description

• Under the supervision of the Clinical Director or Program Supervisor, the Peer Specialist teaches, supports, and monitors empowerment, self-determination, decision making and individualized service delivery to persons served.
• The Peer Support Specialist promotes a team culture in which the team recognizes, understands, and respects individual preferences and points of view and ensures that they are integrated into the treatment, rehabilitation, and community self-help activities.
• Peer Support Specialist assists individuals in a variety of ways, including problem solving, mediation, brief respite, community stabilization and relapse prevention.
• The Peer Support Specialist provides emotional support to participants to assist their maintenance in the least restrictive setting and to enhance self-sufficiency skills.
• The Peer Support Specialist communicates emotional and behavioral observations to the treatment team and completes record keeping functions.
• Caseload and/or billing expectations and requirements must be met on a monthly, quarterly, and yearly basis.
• Peer Support Specialist will sometimes help with transportation of clients for outings and/or resource connection.
• The employee will be required to follow any other job-related instructions and to perform any other job-related duties requested by his/her supervisor.

Essential Job Functions

• Establishes a supportive relationship with individuals served.
• Collaboratively establishes, with the treatment team, a case plan with goals, objectives, and activities.
• Promotes a culture in the team in which individuals are respected; their viewpoints and personal preferences are integrated into treatment, rehabilitation, and community support activities.
• Models, teaches, and supports individuals served in learning empowerment, self-determination and decision-making skills in order to instill and maintain the internal motivation necessary for successful, sustained Recovery.
• Spends time with individuals and families as assigned and/or as identified on the treatment plan.
• Participates in treatment team / staffing meetings.
• Provides recreational and social opportunities to teach, coach and monitor skills.
• May help organize family nights and support groups, and help the family problem solve when issues arise.
• Records pertinent information in language that describes observations and actions including interventions, in a complete, concise, and accurate manner.
• Reports behavioral and emotional observations of individuals and/or family members to the support team.
• Meets with Clinical Supervisor as required by Montana Board of Behavioral Health Licensing requirements, usually 2 hours per week, or 1 hour/20 hours worked as CBHPSS.
• Participates in trainings and passes testing required by Recovery Center of Montana.
• Checks team communications as requested; can identify and differentiate between those situations requiring immediate attention and those that can be scheduled during ‘regular’ working hours.
• Completes all work within specified time, and follows Montana State Law and Recovery Center of Montana policies and procedures.
• Recognizes the need for professional intervention and makes the appropriate referrals to community resources.
• Other duties as assigned.

Attendance Requirements

• Work schedules for employees vary throughout the agency. Supervisors will advise employees of their individual work schedules.
• Staffing needs, operational demands, and service specific protocol may necessitate variations in starting and ending times, as well as variations in the total hours and location(s) that may be scheduled each day and week.
• Supervisors have the ability, responsibility, and authority to adjust employee work schedules based upon a variety of issues pertaining to the delivery of services to participants served by this agency.

Requirements

Minimum Education and Experience Qualifications

• The Peer Support Specialist is an adult in stable, sustained Recovery (2 years + ) for a diagnosed Substance Use Disorder, a Serious Disabling Mental Health Disorder or Both (co-occurring).
• Is licensed as Certified Behavioral Health Peer Support Specialist by the Montana Board of Behavioral Health, or is eligible to be trained and licensed immediately upon hiring.
• When appropriate, must be willing and able to share personal experiences and strengths with participants to instill confidence and hope that long-term Recovery is possible.

Knowledge/Skills/Abilities

• Ability to assess and to respond to the needs of adults.
• Understanding of community resources and knowledge of how to access services.
• Understanding of the issues and relationships with a widely diverse group of people and demonstrates healthy interpersonal skills, a sense of humor, adaptability, and models a positive self-concept.
• Empathy and adequate communication skills (both verbal and written) to establish trusting relationships with participants and staff.
• Available beyond a nine to five work hour with team support and be able to identify a crisis and to respond accordingly, making necessary referrals to meet participant needs.
• Must be able to provide transportation, using either company or own vehicle, for participants as required by the agency.
• Current, valid Montana state driver’s license and comprehensive vehicle insurance.
• Positive teamwork skills with other staff, participants, and other resources in the community.
• Computer skills sufficient to enter the required information concerning participants and related statistical data.
• Clear CFS and criminal background checks.

Salary Description

• Peer Support Specialist salary is $41,600/year (based upon $20/hour wage) plus as much as $400/week as part of Incentive bonus program.